Residents in Hulugho and Ijara sub-counties in Garissa have asked for banking services following the closure of the only financial institution in the area.
The residents led by the former Chairman of Ijara county council, Mr. Mohamed Gure said area residents are suffering since they have to trek over 40 kilometers to get banking services.
Mr. Gure said the only financial institution in the region closed down two years ago which has affected business transactions in the area.
He said that the withdrawal of the First Community Bank from the region early 2016 has also affected education in the region as parents are required to deposit school fees for their children.
Mr. Gure said the two sub-counties have 6 public and 2 private secondary schools with a total population of about 1,200 students and most of the parents are forced to travel 40 kilometers to Hola town in the neighboring Tana River County to deposit school fees.
“Lack of banking services is hampering business transactions in Hulugho and Ijara sub-counties following the closure of the only financial institution in the area.”
“The situation is further aggravated by the fact that school heads no longer accept cash payment following Ministry of Education directive on the same. Parents are forced to travel long distances to deposit schools fees,” he said.
One of the residents, Mr. Ahmed Mohamud said residents have to trek for long distances to access Safaricom network following the destruction of a Safaricom mast by suspected Al-Shabaab militants last year.
Mr. Mohamud said they have to travel to Masalani town to access telephone calls and Mpesa services due to poor network services.
“We are appealing to the service provider to come to our rescue and repair the mast. This will save us from spending a lot of money traveling to access mobile services,” he said.
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